Electric railroad-signal



(No ModeL) 2 SheetsSheet 1.

J}. HINDS &'L. L. STIMPSON. ELECTRIC RAILROAD SIGNAL.

Nu.315.785. Patented Apr. 14, 1885.

N. FEUIRS. FIwEa-blhcgmphm. Washmginn. n. c

(No ModeL) 2 Shets-Sheet 2.

J. HINDS & L. L, STIMPSON. ELEGTRIC RAILROAD SIGNAL.

N0.315,785. Patented Apr. 14, 1885.

UNITED STATES PATENT Oriana.

JUSTIN HINDS AND LORENZO L. STIMPSON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC RAILROAD-SIGNAL.

EPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 315,785, dated April14, 1885. Application filed May 16, 1884. (No model.)

T 0 ZLZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, J UsrIN Hnvns and LORENZO L. Srrrrrson, citizens ofthe United States, and residents of the city of Boston, county ofSuffoll ,and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Electric Railroad-Signals, of which thefollowing is a specification.

Ourinvention relates to that class of railwaysignals in which a visiblesignal is set in one position and alarm mechanism wound up by the actionof a passing train, and the parts locked by a detent, and the latter iswithdrawn by a current from a generator operated from a train passing adistant point; and our invention consists in certain improvements, fullydescribed hereinafter, whereby to signal both for the railway and thehighway, to secureincreased efficiency, and obviate certain objectionsto constructions heretofore adopted.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the signaling partof the apparatus. Fig. 2 is aplan of Fig. 1. Fig. 3isatransverse sectionon the line 1 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 4. is an elevation of the generator. Fig.5 is a sectional elevation enlarged, showing a combined target andlantern signal; and Fig. 6 is a plan illustrating the arrangement of thesignaling device in respect to the roadway and railway.

The apparatus consist-s, especially, of a signal device represented inFigs. 1, 2, and 5, and the generator represented in Fig. 4, there beingin some instances two generators connected with the signal-as, forinstance, where there is a single-track road, or asinglegenerator witheach signal for a double-track road.

The signal consists of a suitably-supported frame, A, arranged inconvenient proximity to the track and provided with atrain of gears ofsuitable construction, that shown having three parallel spindles, abc,with multiplying gear cl of, as shown, wherebya comparatively slowrotation of the lower spindle will cause a rapid rotation of the upperspindle, c.

In apparatus heretofore employed the descent of the rack-bar B, thatgears with a toothed wheel, 9, loose upon the spindle a, is made themedium of rotating the spindle and its gear d in the direction of thearrow, the effect of this rotation being to reduce the speed at whichthe bar descends, and to insure a continued and lengthened revolution ofthe other spindles, one of which carries a double cam, k, that vibratesthe hammer-shaft O of a bellalarm.

In the apparatus previously employed the ra-ck-loar is thrown up by anarm, D, upon a rockshaft, E, provided with a second arm, F, arranged insuch proximity to the rail as to be struck and depresse dby the wheelsor by a tappet upon the train. It has been found that the suddenmovements imparted to the rackbar will sometimes break the teeth of thegears. Toavoid this, we use a sliding bar, B, 1ndependent of therack-bar B, but provided with a lug, 2", which, coming in contact withthe upper end of the rack-bar, causes the latter to descend with the barB and rotate the train of gear under the combined weight of the two.Vhen the bar B is thrown up, however, the bar B is not carried with it,but is lifted slowly by the action of a weight, W, secured to a cord, 8,passing over a pulley and Ins'cned to the lower end of the rack-bar. Bythis means the sudden elevation of the bar B is permitted, while therack-bar moves so slowly that the gears are not injured; but when thebar B ceases its movement the lug -i rests upon the bar B, so that thetwo bars descend together, working in unison.

To permit the free revolution of the wheel 9 in one directionindependently of the gear (1, we secure the wheel 9 to one side of adrum, G, at the other side of which is a ratchetwheel, 16, with whichengage spring-pawls Z upon the side of the gear d. hen the rackbar Bascends and turns the gear 9 in the di rection the reverse of its arrow,the ratchet k slips beneath the pawls; but the descent of the rack-barcauses the ratchet-teeth to engage with the pawls, so that the gears arerevolved by the action of the descending weight and the signal is set orsounded. As shown, the cord 8 passes over the drum G as a pulley. As inapparatus heretofore referred to, the gears, after the rack-bar israised, are locked by a suitable detent, which is operated to unlock thegears by an electric current created by the action of the distantgenerator when the train passes the same.

To prevent friction and binding and secure a sensitive action of theparts, we use a pendent detent or lever, H, having a V-shaped end thatengages withvshaped or angular pins m,upon

a disk, I, carried by the spindle 0, the angular character of the pinsand lever n insuring 5 the passage of the lever either above or belowone of the pins should it strike the same. The

. lever H carries at the upper end the armature u of an electro-magnet,J, connected by wires 00 with the distant generator, the exciting of 1cthe magnet J by the electric current drawing the armature to the magnet,carrying the lever H away from the pins m, and permitting the train torevolve under the action of the descending rack-bar.

mature be held to the magnet until the bar B descends its entiredistance to secure a continued sounding or display of the signal; but itis also necessary to throw the armature away from the magnet, so as tolock the gear after the rack-bar has been raised. \Ve therefore combinewith the bar B and the armature an intermediate device constructed tohold the armature to the magnet while the bar descends and to throw offthe armature as soon as the 2 bar begins its ascent. Thus we use arocklever, K, one end, 2, of which bears against the armature, while theother end, 3, is in a position to be struck by a spring projection,

p, when the bar B rises, the lever being there- 0 by rocked and forcingthe armature away from the magnet, but resuming itsposition after the'proj eetion 1) passes it, so thatthe armature can approach the magnetas soon as the latter is excited.

To permit the bar B to descend freely and secure an effective display orwithdrawal of the visible signal, we make the latter of one or two lightpanels, L, hinged at the upper edges to horizontal bars q of a frame, M,and 40 swing the panels (upon which the word Danger may be painted) bysuitable devices operated on the movement of the bar B. One arrangementis shown in Fig. 1, where the bar is provided with wings 2, which, bycontact with short arms of bell-crank levers N, swing the latter againstthe panels L and lift them to a horizontal position. When the bar israised, the wings pass from contact with the levers, which, with thepanels, then swing to a vertical position.

Another arrangement is shown in Fig. 5.

In this arrangement there is a signal-lantern as well as the target, thelatter being hung as before to be operated by wings 2 upon the bar p B.These wings bear with their lower straight edges directly upon the shortarms projecting from the panels L, and the parts are so constructed thatwhen the bar is at its greatest height the panels will be vertical. Whenpartly lowered, the panels will be horizontal, and when fully loweredthey will be inclined, as shown in dotted lines y, Fig. 5. By paintingthe panels upon both sides different signals will be displayed accordingas the panels take different positions. The stationary panel L may bearranged to be concealed when the It is necessary that the arpanels Lare down, said panel being displayed when the panels L are horizontal,an additional signal being displayed when the panels L are turned to theposition 1 It will be obvious that different means of operating thepanels to secure different adj ustments may be employed.

To operate the signal-lanternin connection with the targets, we connectthe lever P, which carries the lantern-frame,to some moving part of theapparatus. The light is arranged at w, and the frame Q has twobulls-eyes, 5 6, of different colors, either of which may be broughtopposite the light, a screen, B, receiving the frame as it rises.

To prevent sudden shocks from the rapid descent of the bar B, the leverB and its lantern are counterbalanced by a weight, w, and the inner armof the lever is connected by a flexible connection with a weight, S,resting upon the wings z and sliding upon the bar 13, so that the lattermay descend rapidly without carrying the weight with it.

It will be apparent that other means than those described may be usedfor swinging the panel or panels L to horizontal and vertical positionsby movements of the bar. The generator, which may be that shown in Fig.4, is operated by the descent of a rack-bar in the same manner as thesignal device, the descending weight insuring a prolonged current of onepolarity, as described in Letters Patent granted to Joshua Gray, January9, 1883, No. 270,305. The fracture of the gears of the generator isprevented by using a rack-bar separate from the bar B, thrown up by theaction of the train in the same manner as a signal device, alreadydescribed.

By reference to the plan, Fig. 6, it will be seen that the target L,arranged to be visible from the highway V, cannot be seen by theengineer on the train approaching on the'railway U. In signaling devicesheretofore made this'arrangement has proved a source of danger, as thetargetmay not be displayed without the engineer being aware of the fact.By combining with the target a lantern or visual signal, arranged (at B,Fig. 6,) so as to be visible to the engineer, and connecting it with thetarget or operating devices, so that when the target is displayed thelantern will be exposed, the engineer is always signaled as to theposition of the target, and may act accordingly. The lantern casing orframe is painted, so as to be a signal to the engineer in the daytime.

To signal the highway at night, we put a bulls-eye, v, at each side ofthe lantern, so that a light will be displayed to the highway at thesame time that the engineers signal is displayed and upon the targettaking a display position, thus avoiding the dangers incident to thesole dependence upon an audible highway-signal at night.

It will be obvious that day and night signals of any suitableconstruction may be employed IIO to co-operate, as set forth, and thatthe signals may be displayed or concealed to indicate the proximity of acoming train.

It will beapparent that any suitable arrange ment of gears, or arevolving fan or other devices, may be used to retard the action of thedescending weight, so as't'o' prolong the sounding of the alarm anddisplay of the visual signal,without limiting ourselves,therefore,to theconstruction and arrangement shown.

\Ve claim-- 1. The combination of the rackbar driving a retardingmechanism, asliding bar connected to levers arranged to be operated by apassing train and having a bearing upon the rack-bar, and a weight forlifting the rack-bar after the sliding bar has been raised, substatially as specified.

2. In an electric railroad-signal, the combination, with a distantgenerator, of a signal device provided with a sliding bar and means forlifting it by atrain, a rack-bar and weight, whereby the same is raisedwhen the sliding bar is elevated, adetent holding the bars in theirraised position, an electro-magnet connected with the generator andoperating when excited to move the detent, and means, substantially asdescribed, for retarding the descent of the bars, substantially asspecified.

3. The combination, with the driving rackbar and weight for lifting it,of an independent sliding bar connected to levers operated by the trainand provided with a bearing, whereby the slidingbar canriseindependently of the rack-bar, but carries the latter downward withit, for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination, with an independent sliding bar connected to leversoperated by the train, of the sliding rack-bar, train of wheels havingaratchet connected to atoothed wheel gearing with the rack-bar turning onthe pinion of a wheel, d, and pawls on said wheel engaging with theratchet, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination,with the weighted rackbar and the train of gear, of adisk carrying pins, an electro-magnet electrically connected with adistant generator, and asuspended lever carrying the armature andarranged to make contact with the said pins, substantially as set forth.

6. In a railway-signal, the combination of the sliding target-bar, thegears, disk, electromagnet arniature and lever having an angular end,and'pins on the disk having angular edges} substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with the armature of the magnet and with the slidingbar, of an arm or lever arranged to bear on the armature and to bestruck by a projection on the bar, substantially as described.

8. The-combination of the sliding bar, one or more wings upon the same,one or more signal-panels hinged to a frame atthe upper edges, andconnections to swing the panels to different positions as the bar moves,substantially as specified.

9. The combination, with the frame, the sliding bar adapted to beoperated by a passing train, and target-panels hung to the frame, ofconnections on the bar, whereby the latter are moved from the bar tovertical, horizontal, and inclined positions, substantially asdescribed.

10. The combination of theslidingbar, counterbalanced lever P, connectedto the lanternfranie, weight upon the bar, and flexible connectionbetween the weight and lever, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JUSTIN HINDS. L. L. STIMPSON.

W'itnesses:

JOHN E. FARNHAM, CHARLES E. Fosrnn.

